Veterans, families of fallen soldiers recognized

ASHLAND, Maine — For some, their service to their country was years ago, but they have not been forgotten.

Peter W. Ogden, director of Maine Veterans’ Services, makes sure of that. Ogden travels throughout the state to recognize the service of Maine’s veterans and the families of those who died in combat.

On Saturday, Ogden was in Madawaska and on Sunday he was in Ashland to present State of Maine Gold and Silver Star Honorable Service Medals to families of servicemen and women who died in support of combat from WWII to present and to those servicemen and women who received Purple Hearts or were prisoners of war.

“This is just done in the state of Maine,” Ogden said this week of the recognition. The idea was his and it received the support of the Legislature a few years ago and the funding from the governor, he said.

“What it really does for the state from my perspective is, it let’s the family know that we have not forgotten their loss and their loved one,” Ogden said.

Some 30 individuals were recognized in Madawaska:

State of Maine Gold Star Honorable Service Medal for those who died in support of combat operations: Tech. Sgt. Kenneth J. Bossie; Cpl. Richard T. Corriveau; Cpl. Joseph D. Gagnon; Sgt. Benton Michaud, all of Fort Kent.